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ANIMAL MAGIC (new2) 18/01/2013

In third generation form, Fiat's Panda is not only cuter but more sensible than ever. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

In third generation form, Fiat's Panda aims at being all the car some buyers will ever need. It's larger where it matters, yet still small enough for its urban purpose. It's more efficient, yet can offer surprising reserves of performance. And you can make it high-tech - or specify one that's super-affordable. The Italians have always done this kind of thing very well. They still do.

Background

Almost every car you can think of on the market can be pigeonholed into a specific market segment. And even if it can't be, it's likely to appeal to a very specific group of customers. The Panda's different. Though sized and priced as a little citycar, it's so versatile and class-less that it can really function as.... well, almost anything you want. Depending on the flavour you choose, it's a design as suited to city living as it is to the needs of a mountaintop farmer. It can be a hot hatch - or eco-conscious transport for Friends of the Earth. It can be a second vehicle for older empty-nesters. Or the sole car for a rural family. Less a citycar. More an 'essential' car, it is, in the words of one top Fiat executive 'the official car for doing whatever the hell you like'.
This is the Italian brand at its very best. This MK2 design dates back to 2003, but other small cars are only just getting round to matching its astonishing efficiency of space. And just as they do, along comes this MK3 model, longer, wider, taller, more efficient and in every way cleverer than before. Functional, solid, intelligent and free spirited, it's still, we're told, a car that thinks outside the box. Let's try it.

Driving Experience

There are three main engine choices for Panda people, an entry-level 69bhp petrol 1.2-litre unit, an 85bhp 0.9-litre petrol TwinAir powerplant and, on the top 4x4 variants, a 1.3-litre 95bhp Multijet diesel. Aside from engines and performance, there's plenty else for previous Panda people to appreciate in this third generation design. For a start, there's much more of a 'big car' feel to the way that it drives, thanks to suspension tweaks, greater torsional stiffness and a wider track. The result is that it turns into corners more sharply, rounding them with far less bodyroll than before, an experience aided by greater sensitivity from the electric power steering. It's a great deal quieter than before on major routes at cruising speeds too - in fact, Fiat says that cabin noise has been halved so you can have a proper conversation with someone while cruising at the legal limit. And that's something that makes you far more likely to want to take on a longer journey.
As for the rest, well as before, many of the underpinnings are shared with those of Fiat's other, more fashion-conscious citycar offering, the 500 - which is no bad thing as that car is a pretty fun steer, especially in an urban environment. Somewhere this Panda is just as at home. True, the five-speed gearbox could be a little more precise, but you'll appreciate the way this car now takes even the nastier small urban bumps in its stride. And delivers neat little touches like the steering's 'City' mode option to increase the assistance it gives at parking speeds so that you can use the tight 9.3m turning circle more easily. Urban-friendly through and through you see. Mind you, country types can also consider a Panda by looking at the endearing 4x4 version, offered with 0.9-litre petrol TwinAir or 1.3-litre Multijet diesel power.

Design and Build

There's was something of a feeling of tiny MPV about the previous generation version of this car. There still is. It remains a tall car, with a vertical tail, a five-door-only shape and a large glass area, bigger than before (slightly longer, wider and taller) but sat upon the same wheelbase, so the roadway footprint remains basically unaltered. As for the friendly new look, it's based upon what Fiat's designers call 'a squarical' theme, rounded rectangles in vogue everywhere from the headlamps to the front air intake, from the wheelarches to that trademark extra third rearward side window.
The squarical touches continue on inside. You'll find them in the instrument binnacle, on the steering wheel boss, the ventilation controls on the centre console - even on the seats where embossed rounded squares are there to better help air circulate between your body and the backrest. The dashboard itself is enveloped in a colourful frame of your choosing with a roomy storage pocket in front of the front passenger supposed to evoke a nod towards original Eighties Panda motoring.
Overall then, a cabin of much higher quality than before - far nicer indeed, than you'd expect a car of this class and price to provide. Storage for bigger items is taken care of by a 225-litre boot that's significantly bigger than before. As for rear seat passenger space, well thanks to slimmer seats, it's now better and perfectly adequate for a couple of fully-sized adults.

Market and Model

You'll probably be paying somewhere in the £9,500 to £13,000 for your Panda, once you've allowed for a few well-chosen extras. You could pay as much as £18,000 for a top 4x4 version though. Think carefully about whether you really need to pay the £1,200 premium to graduate from the entry-level 8v 1.2-litre petrol model to a car like the 85bhp turbo TwinAir petrol variant. Many customers will be better off sticking with the entry-level model and spending any remaining funds on some well chosen extras. If you're looking at the 4x4 models, then you'll need to factor in a premium over around £2,700 over similarly specified 'Lounge' models equipped with the same engine.
I'd want to consider the Low Speed Collision Mitigation system. This uses a laser sensor on the windscreen to scan a space a short distance in front of the vehicle to determine the risk of a collision. If a potential crash situation is detected and the driver doesn't respond, the system can activate emergency braking at speeds of less than 18mph or if you're going faster, at least slow the car down to minimise the impact. Clever.
As for safety, well it's disappointing to find ESP stability control only offered as an option, though when you do specify it, you also get a Hill Holder clutch that stops you drifting backwards on uphill junctions.

Cost of Ownership

You'd certainly expect this Panda to be at or near the top of its class when it comes to the issue of running costs. That's asking a little bit much of the entry-level 8v 1.2-litre 69bhp petrol engine: it is, after all, one of Fiat's older units. Still you can expect to see 57.6mpg on the combined cycle and 113g/km of CO2, which isn't too far off the kind of returns you get from rivals with more modern powerplants. Where this Fiat really scores though, is if you're able to stretch to a version with petrol TwinAir power.
The 85bhp Panda TwinAir we tried doesn't require a diesel premium to buy and runs on petrol yet despite its pokey performance, manages 67.3mpg on the combined cycle while putting out just 99g/km of CO2. Go for a 4x4 model with this engine and those figures take quite a hit - down to 57.6mpg and 114g/km.
With the 4x4 1.3-litre 95bhp Multijet diesel version, the figures are 64.2mpg and 117g/km. Both TwinAir and Multijet buyers get a Start&Stop system that cuts the engine when you're stuck in traffic or waiting at the lights. And a gearshift indicator to help you with optimum change-up points.

Summary

Loved by small car people the world over for more than thirty years, the Panda continues to define everything that a very compact multi-purpose model should be. It's had to evolve of course, with more efficient engines and clever technology. But its heart remains simple, functional and innovative. Which is why, while other citycars will please only citycar folk, you could imagine this one being bought by.... well, just about anyone.
A few other rivals may be a little cheaper, more refined or slightly trendier but few push the boundaries of design quite like this Fiat. It happily challenges just about every tiny car perception in the book. That you can't get really impressive fuel and CO2 figures without forking out loads of money for a diesel. That you can't seat five in this class of car. Or carry really large items. Or get big car hi-tech features. Panda people think differently thanks to a car that lets them do just that. It's got tough competition these days, no question. But in a growing segment full of talented offerings, it's a key contender you just can't help liking.

HOT IN THE CITY (family) 18/01/2013

Fiat's little Panda range still has a funky charm. June Neary reports

Will It Suit Me?

The original first generation Fiat Panda was always a favourite of mine back in the Nineties and served me very well during my student days. I knew today's model couldn't match the 'back to basics' appeal of the Giugiaro styled original, but times have changed and so have the demands of modern motorists. Seats that resemble hammocks just won't cut it in a market of growing sophistication.
The current Panda may be linked to the original in name only, but it has proved to be an enduring favourite. The shape is cheeky without lapsing into cutesy pastiche and overall, this remains a car that's virtually impossible to dislike.

Practicalities

The term 'citycar' usually denotes a vehicle that's cramped, insubstantial and rather uncomfortable to drive. The Panda is a long way from this stereotype. Despite measuring only 3,653mm from bumper to bumper, the Panda offers a decent amount of interior space, helped by a generous height of 1,551mm and that wheel at each corner design. There's was something of a feeling of tiny MPV about the previous generation version of this model. There still is. It remains a tall car, with a vertical tail, a five-door-only shape and a large glass area
Room up front is fine for two big adults, but rear legroom will naturally be a little pinched if four burly blokes squeeze in. Still, for two adults and two children it works very well. The dashboard is enveloped in a colourful frame of your choosing with a roomy storage pocket in front of the front passenger supposed to evoke a nod towards original Eighties Panda motoring. Luggage space is adequate (225-litres), access to the hatch being helped by a very low loading sill. A split folding rear bench helps when transporting long or bulky items.

Behind the Wheel

Three engines are offered, opening with the entry-level 1.2-litre 69hp petrol powerplant for those on a tight budget. Few will regret shelling out a few hundred pounds extra for the more powerful 85hp 0.9-litre turbo TwinAir unit. There's also a 95bhp 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine - but only in the 4x4 models at the top of the range.
Many of the underpinnings are shared with those of Fiat's other, more fashion-conscious citycar offering, the 500 - which is no bad thing as that car is a pretty fun steer, especially in an urban environment. Somewhere this Panda is just as at home. True, the five-speed gearbox could be a little more precise, but you'll appreciate the way this car takes even the nastier small urban bumps in its stride. And delivers neat little touches like the steering's 'City' mode option to increase the assistance it gives at parking speeds so that you can use the tight 9.3m turning circle more easily. Urban-friendly through and through you see.

Value For Money

Prices start at around £9,500 for the base 'Pop' model - a lot less, in other words, than you'd pay for the less spacious but more fashionable Fiat 500. Running costs are minimal - though not as sharp as rivals. The 1.2-litre variant manages 55.4mpg on the combined cycle and 119g/km of CO2.
I'd want to consider the Low Speed Collision Mitigation system. This uses a laser sensor on the windscreen to scan a space a short distance in front of the vehicle to determine the risk of a collision. If a potential crash situation is detected and the driver doesn't respond, the system can activate emergency braking at speeds of less than 18mph or if you're going faster, at least slow the car down to minimise the impact. Clever.

Could I Live With One?

Despite a flurry of more recent arrivals in the city car sector, there's still little to match the Panda's space and value combination. Considering the affordable pricing, Fiat have specified the car very well and crucially, it's fun to drive. Few cars are as instantly likeable.

User rating: 4/5

User rating: 4.5/5

User comment:Fiat Panda is a very complete car for our needs, far better equipped than a lot of its competitors, very economical, low road tax, a tried and tested engine over many years. Our second Panda Pop. Salesman Dion Stagg was very professional without being overpowering would recommend him personally.

Fiat Panda Reviews

User rating: 5/5

User comment:We bought a Fiat Panda Cross and we are very pleased with it. We are surprised at the power the twin air vehicle has. My husband was unsure before we bought it because it only has two cylinders, but he was very pleasantly surprised when he had a test drive in one. Excellent car and just what we wanted, a car that we are both very happy to drive.

User rating: 4/5

User comment:The Fiat Panda Lounge is a great car. I like the colour as other people can see it. The sound of it moving on the road is quiet and I would recommend it to other people. However it did not come with a back light inside the boot that is standard. I find having a light in the boot helps especially when I go out to work in the mornings and its really dark and I put my bags in the back. No CD section to use anymore. Not everyone plays music through phones or ipods so it's a pity Fiat do not still consider this in their future designs. Additionally creating a universal TOMTOM cradle to fit all TOMTOM's would really be beneficial as they would probably sell many to customers.

User rating: 4.5/5

User comment:Even though I am the registered keeper of the 'Panda' my wife is the main driver. We had the Fiat 500 Pop previously and even though my wife enjoyed the driving experience of the little car...the fact that it was a 3 door was found restrictive. The Panda has 5 doors, is approximately the same dimensions, has the same engine 1.2 ltrs, has a better layout internally and a little more comfortable that the 500. I find the lack of a spare wheel a bit penny pinching and would much prefer a 5th tyre in the boot. It packs a good 'punch' for such a small car. My wife thoroughly enjoys her new car and is glad we changed from the Fiat 500 Pop.

User rating: 4/5

User comment:The Panda Twin Air Duologic which we have drives very well and rides better than the Mercedes which I traded in. Purchased for my Wife to drive I find that I am very happy to drive it. The small engine is very vocal and has a very distinct sound when asked to perform.Coming from such a small nippy car the vocals seem to suit it. Wife is disappointed with obtaining only mid forties per gallon but that's not a real problem. It's comfortable and does not rattle so looking forward to next few months.

User rating: 5/5

User rating: 5/5

User comment:My last car was also a Fiat Panda Auto, this new one is so nippy, it still has the girly button which is great for parking, also I'm so pleased with the heating, as the the other cars heating was complicated for me. All in all I'm thrilled to bits.

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